Mindfulness Drop in Group

Looking for a secular meditation community group? Not sure if meditation is for you but would like to give it a go? Have you already done a mindfulness course and would like to join a community of like minded meditators… For those new to meditation and those with experience that would like a community to practise with…This group’s aim is twofold: to provide an opportunity for people to come together; to build community and friendship with the intention of developing and deepening practise to cultivate happy and healthy minds.Common to many people is the challenge of continuing their practise after courses end or that they miss the sense of friendship and community from the mindfulness course. So it has long been an ambition of mine to set up a group that meets this aim and also is an entry point for mindfulness meditation practise for those that don’t want to commit to an 8 week course.Come along and give it a try! £7 for an hour, £10 for 90 minutes. Paid on the night.What can you expect?The group will kick off with a short arriving practise and then follow with a longer (10-20 minute) attention meditation practice such as focusing on the breath. This helps people centre, relax and arrive. We will then do a short Q&A after the practise and then move on to another practise which may involve a walking, movement, friendship or body based meditation.If you are staying for 1.5 hours after a 5 minute settling break we will move into a final longer practise which will have a greater element of silence, giving greater freedom for you to choose which practise to follow of follow the practise that I lead.Who should attend mindfulness courses?Mindfulness is generally available to most people, however for some it may be best to be trained by someone with a specific clinical qualification (such as those with an acute mental health condition).For some people challenges can arise while meditating for a number of different reasons. While each of us is different, If you are going through a major life event (such as having been recently bereaved or divorced) or suffering from mental ill health (eg acute depression) have a learning disability or have just been diagnosed with an upsetting physical illness (eg cancer) it is best to wait and leave attending a course until life is a little more settled for you or find a course that is more specialised to your particular needs. This can be discussed with your course leader and it is for this reason why we ask everyone to fill in a course screening form so that we can best support your needs or help you to find someone who can.The course is not designed to discuss any current or past personal problems not related to the practises and if necessary, these should be pursued through individual work with a counsellor or other appropriate support.